“If you can’t join them, beat them,” seems to be Google’s mantra. Last week Google confirmed rumors that it’s developing a “Groupon clone” following its failed attempt to purchase the company for $6 billion.

Groupon is an Internet service that sends its subscribers daily offers for savings of 50 to 90 percent at stores, restaurants and events tailored to each user’s own city. The idea is that buying discounts in groups benefits both customer and company. My personal favorite? Paying $25 for $50 worth of merchandise at Nordstrom Rack.

The biggest problem Google will face is collecting email addresses from its staggering, though mainly anonymous, user base — that or finding a different way to get users interested in its offers.

Who knows? Maybe this problem will prove enough to secure Groupon’s place at the top — but having one of the most powerful companies after your customers can’t be pleasant.